Bryce Joe-Kun Tham

About Me

I am a graduate student pursuing my master's degree in computer science at Stanford University with a depth in human-computer interaction. Currently, I am an interaction design researcher with the Stanford HCI Group working on the Smart Primer project, a tablet-based engaging educational narrative that incorporates fun learning activities. Previously, I studied at the University of California, Irvine, where I received my bachelor's degree in computer science with specializations in information and algorithms. As an undergraduate, I served as a database development intern at the UCI Office of Information Technology and an AR applications research assistant at the UCI Institute for Software Research. I graduated summa cum laude with honors in ICS and was awarded the Chancellor's Award of Distinction in 2017. More recently, I was a software engineering intern at Visa Inc. working on internal attestation and search tools to improve operations and infrastructure. I am also the co-founder of Change Thru Games, an annual 24-hour video game marathon that has raised over $4000 for charity to date. With 3+ years of work experience and 2+ years of research assistantship, my unique background combines cutting-edge full-stack development techniques with innovative UI/UX design that has led to numerous successful partner projects with organizations around the world from non-profits to startups.

Apart from computer science, I also enjoy playing video games and writing. I am currently seeking full-time software engineering opportunities for after graduation.

Research

QuizBot: A Dialogue-based Adaptive Learning System for Factual Knowledge

Abstract: Advances in conversational AI have the potential to enable more engaging and effective ways to teach factual knowledge. To investigate this hypothesis, we created QuizBot, a dialogue-based agent that helps students learn factual knowledge in science, safety, and English vocabulary. We evaluated QuizBot with 76 students through two within-subject studies against a flashcard app, the traditional medium for learning factual knowledge. Though both systems used the same algorithm for sequencing materials, QuizBot led to students recognizing (and recalling) over 20% more correct answers than when students used the flashcard app. Using a conversational agent is more time consuming to practice with, but in a second study, of their own volition, students spent 2.6x more time learning with QuizBot than with the flashcard app and reported preferring it strongly for casual learning. These results suggest that educational chatbot systems may have beneficial use, particularly for learning outside of traditional settings.

Just-In-Time AR-Based Learning in the Advanced Manufacturing Context

Abstract: The use of augmented reality (AR) applications has the potential to greatly reduce errors and increase productivity in the manufacturing space. The application I developed, in particular, focuses on the problem of how to provide effective training, which refers to issues that are related to when workers are required to learn new or updated skills, using AR. In a technique called just-in-time augmented learning, these “smart" workers can use AR to access valuable training resources, which play an important role in informing them of their tasks and responsibilities. This can be done without the need to refer to a secondary laptop computer or tablet, because the resources are loaded directly onto the workers’ AR device, integrating the training process into the workflow and reducing diversion. By using various game-based systems and marker-based AR libraries, I designed and developed a prototype for a head-mounted AR application that demonstrates the feasibility of just-in-time augmented learning for use in the assembly line manufacturing context.

Projects

The VIP Programmer/Designer | Global Hackathon | 2018

The VIP is a brand new rewards system that keeps track of all your customer loyalty rewards using only your credit or debit card, featuring a web-based front-end portal and a working back-end server/database.

PythonHTMLCSSJavaScriptFlaskPostgreSQLBootstrapGit

IssueVoter Widget Programmer | IssueVoter | 2018

Collaborating with major news publishers such as Forbes and AP News, the IssueVoter widget allows people to conveniently communicate their stance on major political topics to their local representatives.

PythonHTMLCSSJavaScriptDjangoDockerBootstrapGit

PhotoApp Programmer | Course Project | 2018

PhotoApp is a single-page photo-sharing web application where users can upload, like, and comment on other people's photos, featuring a robust front end and back end as well as custom API calls.

HTMLCSSJavaScriptMEAN Stack

goFIT Programmer/Designer | dt+UX | 2017-2018

With goFIT, you decide what kind of healthy lifestyle you wish to pursue. goFIT combines fitness tracking and community interaction, offering meaningful social connection to make exercise more rewarding.

UnproductiveTab is a witty new tab extension for Google Chrome with quick links to popular websites. Recloggery uses Bootstrap and DataTables to organize Backloggery recommendations into a beautiful, presentable table.

HTMLCSSJavaScriptBootstrapGit

Ocean Waves Programmer/Designer | Global Game Jam | 2017

Ocean Waves is a game about a young girl named Ocean who strives to make the world a happier place by waving at the depressed denizens of her nearby park.

C#UnityGit

AR Manufacturing Demo Programmer/Designer | UCI ISR | 2016

The AR Manufacturing Demo is a head-mounted AR application that demonstrates the feasibility of just-in-time augmented learning for use in the assembly line manufacturing context.

C#UnityGit

UROP Fellowship Award

Bubble Buddy Programmer/Designer | Autism App Jam | 2016

Bubble Buddy is a web-based virtual communication companion designed for young children with autism who struggle with communication, identifying emotions, and learning by interacting with them using typical everyday conversation.

HTMLCSSJavaScriptMEAN StackBootstrapGit

2nd Place Hype Award

Fabflix Programmer | Course Project | 2016

Fabflix is a web-based interface that allows customers to browse/search for movie information, add interesting movies to their shopping cart, and check out.

The UC Irvine Circle K Website utilizes key web development techniques and open-source software solutions to create a reliable and robust website as a resource hub for members and a means of organizing club secretarial information.

HTMLCSSMySQLJavaScriptPHPBootstrap

1st Place Outstanding Club Website

MedLight Programmer/Designer | Med AppJam | 2014

MedLight is a mobile application that uses a newsfeed-style of updating system in order to streamline information and communication between healthcare providers and their patients to keep all relevant personnel updated on the patient's health.

SwiftXcodeGit

Othello Programmer | Course Project | 2014

Othello is a simple version of popular board game of the same name with a working graphical user interface.

Python

Volunteering

Circle K International

The primary source of my community service experience comes from my involvement in Circle K International as an event chair for various projects and fundraisers as well as an appointed board member, family head, and mentor. My 750 hours of involvement have accrued me bronze and silver membership recognition standing over the course of my 4 years of service both at UCI and Stanford. Notably, I am the co-founder of Change Thru Games, an annual 24-hour video game marathon that has raised over $4000 towards charity to date.

The UCI Experience (2014)

Publicity Chair

Raised $169 towards Thomas House Family Shelter.

Change Thru Games (2014)

Co-Founder

Raised $525 towards The Eliminate Project.

Dance For A Chance (2015)

Fundraising Chair

Raised $1500 towards Thomas House Family Shelter.

Change Thru Games II (2015)

Lead Director

Raised $755 towards The Eliminate Project.

Technology Internship Program (2016)

Committee Head

Mentored 4 students in web development.

Living in Code (2017)

Workshop Host

Talked about growing as an ICS major at UCI.

IGN Entertainment

I have also been an community moderator, avid blogger, occasional podcaster, and all-star member on IGN Entertainment between 2011 and 2016. My duties included moderating and filtering comments as per IGN’s terms and conditions, including issuing warnings and bans. I've published over 240 blog posts, many of which have been featured on popular websites such as ZeldaDungeon and NintendoLife. Below is a small sample of my works. You can view an archive of all my previous blog posts here.